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3afan
02-03-2006, 06:42 AM
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Realignment notebook
Class 5A to have more playoff teams
Friday, February 03, 2006


Class 5A to have more playoff teams

Starting this fall, Class 5A will experiment with each district sending the top four teams to the playoffs in football.

The teams with the top two enrollments will head to the Division I bracket, while the schools with the lower two enrollments will be placed in Division II.

Both brackets will be seeded. This change will occur only in football.

The 4A, 3A and 2A classes will continue sending three teams from each district to the postseason, with the qualifying team with the largest enrollment heading to Division I.

New is old for Waco

For the first time since Waco ISD schools Richfield, Jefferson Moore and the old Waco High consolidated in 1986 to form Waco High, the Lions will compete in Class 4A. Waco will be paired with Copperas Cove, Brownwood, Killeen, Waco Midway and Waco University in District 16-4A.

Small world for Runge

UIL realignment changes did not affect one school: Runge, in Class A.

As a result of decreasing attendance, Runge will compete as an independent in football for the next two years.

The Kames County school will remain in the UIL for all other sports.

Coaches predicted only 24 players, including eight freshmen, would report to summer camp this year. Last season, Runge was 0-10 and was outscored 419-48.

Runge could be reinstated as a UIL football school in 2008, the next time districts are realigned.

Dropping down in West Texas

Population declines in West Texas and the Panhandle are reflected in the number of schools changing classifications. Only five schools — El Paso El Dorado (4A to 5A), Tornillo and Anthony (2A to 3A), Stratford and Van Horn (A to 2A) — were elevated, but 14 schools dropped.

Andrews, Burkburnett, Clint and Fabens dropped from 4A to 3A, Amarillo River Road, Littlefield, Merkel and Muleshoe fell from 3A to 2A and Amarillo Boys Ranch, DeLeon, Eldorado, Electra, Olton and Seymour dropped from 2A to Class A.


Central Texas' realignment winners

•District 25-5A. The move from Region II to IV means district teams (the former District 16-5A) will face San Antonio schools in the first rounds of the playoffs, not Houston schools.

•Georgetown. Rumored to be moving north to District 13-5A, the Eagles will continue to play in 14-5A with Williamson County rivals much closer to home.

•Crockett. The Cougars no longer have to face Westlake and Bowie.

•District 17-4A. The additions of Crockett, Elgin and Manor upgrade what was a generally weak district.

•New Braunfels. The city, not the school. Canyon and New Braunfels have new rivalries with nearby Schertz Clemens and Steele.

Central Texas' realignment losers

•Johnston. A double whammy: The Rams drop from 4A to 3A, and their new 3A district is loaded with heavyweights.

•Burnet. The onetime 3A power now has Connally to contend with, along with Lake Travis.

•Wimberley. Its district was whittled down to just four teams, and its annual grudge match with Liberty Hill — one of Central Texas' most fun rivalries — now can only be a non-district affair.

•Vista Ridge. It's nice to play varsity. But Connally, Lake Travis, Burnet and Dripping Springs are waiting.

•Liberty Hill. The Panthers said goodbye to Wimberley, but hello to the likes of Hutto, Cameron Yoe and Taylor.